Football fan faces banning order for throwing smoke canister at match

A man who was found in possession of a smoke grenade at a football match in Alfreton has been banned from attending matches for three years.

Daniel John Lee (23) of Albert Drive, Woking, was arrested following a match between Alfreton Town and Woking FC on Saturday, August 9. He was later charged with being in possession, which he later admitted, of a pyrotechnic device at a designated sporting event.

He appeared at Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, August 27 where he was issued with a three year football banning order and fined £470.

PC Roger Brown, Chesterfield’s football intelligence officer, said: “There has been a significant increase in the use of pyrotechnics at football matches up and down the country.

“This is illegal, dangerous and affects innocent supporters who are sitting in the vicinity of one when it is ignited.

“Anyone found in possession or igniting such articles in connection with football fixtures will be arrested and put before the courts.”